Ouija vs. Planchette — What's the Difference?

A board printed with letters, numbers, and simple words used for spirit communication.

Typically made of wood, plastic, or glass.

Sometimes considered controversial due to its mystical implications.

A small, heart-shaped piece used to indicate letters on a Ouija board.

Known for facilitating paranormal experiences through group interaction.

Can be used independently for automatic writing by psychics.

Often used in group settings for spiritual séances.

Moves purportedly under the guidance of spirits.

Associated with mystical and supernatural lore.

Less commonly recognized outside the context of Ouija boards.

The ouija ( WEE-jə, jee), also known as a spirit board or talking board, is a flat board marked with the letters of the alphabet, the numbers 0–9, the words "yes", "no", occasionally "hello" and "goodbye", along with various symbols and graphics. It uses a planchette (small heart-shaped piece of wood or plastic) as a movable indicator to spell out messages during a séance.

A planchette ( or ), from the French for "little plank", is a small, usually heart-shaped flat piece of wood equipped with two wheeled casters and a pencil-holding aperture pointing downwards, used to facilitate automatic writing. The use of planchettes to produce mysterious written messages gave rise to the belief that the devices foster communication with spirits as a form of mediumship.

Alternative form of Ouija

A small board supported on castors, typically heart-shaped and fitted with a vertical pencil, used for automatic writing and in seances

A board with the alphabet on it; used with a planchette to spell out supernatural messages

A small triangular board supported by two casters and a vertical pencil that, when lightly touched by the fingertips, is said to spell out subconscious or supernatural messages.

A small plank.

(spiritualism) A type of Ouija board. (A small tablet of wood supported on casters and having a pencil attached. The characters produced by the pencil on paper, while the hand rests on the instrument and it is allowed to move, are sometimes interpreted as of oracular or supernatural import.)

A plane table.

One of the round colored dots pressed into paper money, used to distinguish authentic currency from counterfeit currency.

A circumferentor. See Circumferentor.

A small tablet of wood supported on casters and having a pencil attached. The characters produced by the pencil on paper, while the hand rests on the instrument and it is allowed to move, are sometimes translated as of oracular or supernatural import.

A triangular board supported on casters; when lightly touched with the fingertips it is supposed to spell out supernatural (or unconscious) messages

The Ouija board was commercially introduced in the late 19th century, but similar devices had been used earlier.

The planchette was first used in the mid-19th century, primarily for automatic writing before being adapted for Ouija boards.

Ouija boards are used by people interested in spirit communication, paranormal enthusiasts, and sometimes as a novelty or game at social gatherings.

Planchettes are commonly made from wood, plastic, or glass, depending on the style and quality of the board.

No, the scientific community generally regards Ouija boards as objects of pseudoscience and does not recognize them as tools for legitimate communication.

Reactions can range from amusement and skepticism to fear and belief in its effectiveness as a communication tool.

Some believe it can lead to negative spiritual encounters or psychological distress, although there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.

Some believe the planchette can move by spiritual or paranormal forces, while skeptics argue that it moves by unconscious movements of the participants.

While anyone can attempt to use a planchette for automatic writing, it is generally more associated with mediums or those who claim to have psychic abilities.

During automatic writing, a medium or individual uses the planchette to write messages believed to be communicated from the spiritual realm.

Users often set ground rules, invoke protective measures, and sometimes conduct a closing ritual to ensure no negative energies remain.

Yes, Ouija boards have been featured in many films and stories, typically within the horror genre, like "The Exorcist" and "Ouija."

Alternatives include séances, electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) recordings, and using apps designed for paranormal communication.

Initially seen as a harmless parlor game, its perception shifted towards the paranormal and mystical, often influenced by popular culture and media portrayals.

It is advised to immediately stop the session, put away the board, and clear the area to ensure participants feel safe.